Shaheem: Maldives aims to build world's most beautiful mosques

Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said the government is undertaking a programme of mosque construction across the Maldives, with the aim of making the country known for its mosques.

Shaheem made the remarks on Tuesday while answering questions from members of the People's Majlis.

Providing an update on mosque development projects, the minister said around 20 mosques in different parts of the country were opened before the last month of Ramadan.

He said some of those projects had been initiated during the previous administration.

According to the minister, another 20 mosques are scheduled to open before the next Ramadan.

"We want to build beautiful mosques in Malé and across all regions of the country. We want to make the Maldives an Islamic nation with the most beautiful mosques," Shaheem said.

The minister said the country's largest mosque is planned for Hulhumalé. He said the architectural design, prepared with the support of a donor from Saudi Arabia, has been completed and construction is expected to begin in September to coincide with the 900th anniversary of the Maldives' conversion to Islam.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has previously stated that the mosque, to be built between Hulhumalé Phase II and Phase III, will accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers.

Shaheem also said temporary tin-roofed mosques that have operated in Hulhumalé for several years will be replaced with permanent structures before the next Ramadan.

He added that funding has been secured for all but one of the planned mosque projects in the Greater Malé area. According to the minister, the projects are valued at hundreds of millions of rufiyaa, and he thanked the business community for supporting the initiative.